hankyoreh

Prime Minister Chung Hong-won closes his eyes in a car after talking to family members of missing passengers from the Sewol ferry in Jindo

The Blue House announced on the morning of June 26 that Prime Minister Chung Hong-won will remain in his post. Chung resigned on Apr. 27 as a gesture of responsibly for the government’s inept response to the Sewol sinking. At the time, Chung pledged to remain in office until his replacement was found. 　

This week, nominee Moon Chang-geuk withdrew his nomination due to uproar over pro-Japanese comments he had made in the past. Before him, nominee Ahn Dae-hee withdrew due to large profits he made as a lawyer after resigning as Supreme Court Justice.

The announcement that Chung will be retained is a testament to the Park administration’s inability to find a suitable replacement. This is the first such case in South Korean history of a Prime Minister resigning, waiting for months, and then being retained.

South Jeolla Province

Apr. 20. Chung had tried to leave the scene without talking to families